WHO Chief: No signs that we are at the beginning of a larger hantavirus outbreak
Kyiv • UNN
Tedros Ghebreyesus stated there are no signs of a large-scale hantavirus outbreak. Passengers of the MV Hondius have been traced to prevent the spread of the disease.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated at a press conference on Tuesday that there are no signs that we are at the beginning of a larger outbreak of hantavirus, UNN reports, citing Sky News.
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He reiterated what the organization has already stated during this outbreak: that this is not another COVID.
"There are no signs that we are seeing the beginning of a larger hantavirus outbreak,"
He added that, as far as the WHO is aware, the passengers who disembarked from the vessel MV Hondius have been located.
This had caused serious concern among health authorities, as there was a risk of further spread of the hantavirus.
Ghebreyesus also pointed to underlying tensions amid efforts to combat a potential outbreak.
The World Health Organization has advised all passengers to isolate for 45 days – a measure many countries are following.
However, there have been reports that some countries do not intend to implement isolation. In the US, the quarantine period has not been defined.
Dr. Ghebreyesus noted: "We cannot force countries to follow our protocols; we can only advise and recommend."